One

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Pam’s done a great recap of the time spent on Wolfe Island
this past Saturday for Scene of the Crime and I've just read Gloria Ferris’blog with her perspective – be sure to check it out as well.

So I won’t go over similar ground except to say how much I
enjoyed the day’s activities, the discussions and conversations over delicious
meals and of course adding to my “must read” list –rumour has it summer is
drawing to a close and that means more time for reading doesn't it? Hard to make a choice – so many great books
by favourite, and destined to become favourite, authors.
Between Pam and I, we managed a good cross section, all duly autographed
to “Jamie Tremain” of course.

Pam met me at work on Friday afternoon and we headed east
via the 407 toll highway by 3:30. Within
half an hour we’d reached the easterly end of the road at Pickering – what a
lovely drive (mind you I haven’t paid for it yet). But then it took an hour to clear Oshawa. We straggled into the motel at 7:00 Friday
evening. After a quick settle in, it was
time to find somewhere for dinner. The
desk clerk, when asked, provided simple directions to a variety of
eateries. But neglected to mention the
detours due to road construction.
Finally found a suitable restaurant and enjoyed a tasty meal. Now to find our way back to the motel! Note to self – pick up map of next city
stopover! (Yes I prefer an actual paper map to a GPS). Thankfully my inner compass seemed to be in
working order and we were soon safely back at our temporary lodgings and within
minutes fast asleep!

Fast forward to early evening Saturday – having spent a
lovely day on the Island we took a leisurely stroll to catch the 7:30 Wolfe
Island Ferry back to Kingston. A perfect summer's evening, we decided to spend the twenty minute trip on the upper deck, rather
than in the stuffy confines below. Not
the most comfortable seating for the trip – I don’t mind a bench, but I do like
to at least have my feet touch the ground. The last car aboard, the ship
prepared to depart and we looked forward to some picture taking along the way. But wait a minute – the engines
have reversed? We’re backing up? Yep, barely two minutes from shore and we
were returning. An announcement of some
sort came over the PA but with the sound of those powerful engines, it was lost.

We watched as the ferry crew instructed three vehicles to
back up and off the ferry. While a cleared
spot on the car deck stood empty, more foot traffic was allowed to board and it
soon grew quite crowded. All the more
reason to be outside in the fresh air. A
rumour was heard that the ferry was waiting for an ambulance. We’d been told earlier that although the
last scheduled ferry run is at 2:00 a.m. the crew sleeps on board in the event
of an emergency on the island – looked like this would be an early evening
emergency run. So we waited, and
waited. The sun sank lower over the
beautiful water and the giant wind turbines of the island began to blur into
the dim light of evening. A fellow
passenger commented that in all the years she’s used the ferry service she’d
never known this to happen.

Eventually, at 8:30, an ambulance did arrive, and within
minutes we were on our way once more.
All the while wondering about the passenger in the ambulance. No lights or sirens accompanied its arrival. Would the trip to Kingston be too late, or
had the emergency been downgraded? Speculation was all we had and once docked
in Kingston, we were impressed with how quickly the crew had that ambulance
free of the deck and on its way.

So an intended evening of catching up and discussing the day
fell to the way side and it was once again lights out shortly after arriving
back at the motel.

Next morning a four hour drive awaited, but breakfast first
and the need to push back a booming headache with some serious coffee! After some unplanned sightseeing through
Kingston we found a welcome breakfast venue – the Jiffy Grill – and enjoyed a
leisurely meal. Back in the car and I
planned to exit the plaza where we had come in.
I detest left turns and traffic lights ensured I’d be able to make my
turn on the green. But uh oh…halfway
through the turn I noted a sign beside the traffic light.

And almost before I could put the pieces together there it
was – the flashing lights of a Kingston police cruiser behind me. Pam was busy
discussing plot developments of our next story and was blissfully unaware of the reason
for my blanched face and clenched hands on the wheel.

The officer made his way to my window, “Good morning,” he
greeted me. And before he could ask me
if I knew what I had done, I confessed that I thought I knew what had happened.
He patiently waited for my explanation.
While digging for my licence – why is it so awkward to get out of the
wallet when you need it – I explained we'd stopped for breakfast and left the
plaza the same way we entered. But I had
noted when advancing on the green light a sign which read “Transit Turning Only”…and
there’s no way my little Caliber would pass for a Kingston Transit bus. He
smiled, in that way authority figures can do so well. “And if that light had
been red would you have noticed that?”

“Oh tell me it WASN’T red,” I tried for some levity.

He agreed it wasn’t
red. “You know that’s a $150.00 fine.”

What could I do?
Explained we were out of town as I handed over my licence, and hoped he’d
be understanding.

“Don’t worry,” he finally reassured. “I’m going to jot down
your name, but will let it go. I’d be
more concerned at someone who lives here saying they didn't see the sign.”

With my sigh of relief as he walked back to his cruiser, my adrenalin
lowered back to normal. At this point
all I wanted was to find the 401 West.

Fortunately the rest of the drive home was uneventful – it
was a beautiful day for a drive and we seemed to be ahead of the returning
weekend traffic.

So all in all it was an event-filled weekend and Pam and I
are both glad we were able to attend Scene of the Crime. Good memories and encouragement and inspiration
for the months ahead!

Monday, August 19, 2013

Jamie Tremain had a fabulous week-end on bucolic Wolfe island . The largest island of the Thousand islands on the St Lawrence River. We were greeted warmly after a twenty minute ferry ride and escorted to the local school for a terrific workshop given by Barbara Fradkin.She even made us work. A short walk to our next venue and we settled into the United church for readings from a varied group of authors.

Picture on the right /left to right is Gloria Ferris, Barbara Fradkin, John Moss,Pam Blance, Vicki Delaney and Liz Lindsay. Pictures in no particular order.

Question and answer time with Barbara Fradkin moderating. A very elegant Violette Malin to the left of the picture. Andrew Pyper, next to Barbara is either deep in thought or has nodded off. Ian Hamilton had an urgent call and the ladies would never miss a photo op.

Gloria Ferris.

Erika Chase

Janet Bolin

Ian Hamilton

Vicki interviewing Andrew Pyper.

Erika Chase with Andrew Pyper

Andrew Pyper, the recipient of the Grant Allan award for his contribution to Canadian writing.

Liz had a date with Alfred Hitchcock before we left the island.

Lovely w/e at Scene of the Crime. Met old friends and made some new that we had a giggle with. They know who they are. Well organized event and the planners and volunteers are to be commended.

If you don't hear from me in a while I will be busy reading the books I bought. Our trip home took three hours so we had lots of time to chat about the new book. If I'm not reading I hope to be writing.

Monday, August 12, 2013

Began
yet another email promising something really funny on my computer screen if I
forwarded it to at least seven other people including the person who sent it to
me. ***Sigh*** Really? The email had come as a forward from one of my
co-workers and I quickly skimmed through it – and then went back and read it
again – carefully this time. How
refreshing to find this was actually a message that was positive and – dare I
say it – age appropriate. I did return
it to her with my own comments and then cleaned it up and forwarded it on. If you know me at all, you’ll find that if I
like what’s expressed in an email, I'm not going to forward it to you with dire
warnings about being sure to send on to everyone you know, or be one of the 30%
who will ignore and suffer the consequences.
Phooey on your warnings I say.
If I like it and think it’s worth sharing, you’ll see it, minus the ‘extras’.

Depending
on your current age, see how you measure up against the message of the email – the
author is unknown and I wish I knew who to give the credit to, perhaps it’s a compilation
of several voices

"As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own
friend.

I have seen
too many dear friends leave this world, too soon; before they understood the
great freedom that comes with ageing.

Whose business
is it, if I choose to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM, or sleep
until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60
&70’s, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk
the beach, in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive
into the waves, with abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from
the jet set. They, too, will get old.

I know I am
sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten.
And, I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the
years, my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break, when you lose a
loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody 's beloved pet gets
hit by a car? But, broken hearts are what give us strength, and understanding,
and compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine, and sterile, and will never
know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so
blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my
youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have
never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As
you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other
people think. I don’t question myself any more I've even earned the right to be
wrong. So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I
like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am
still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying
about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day (if I feel like
it).

MAY OUR
FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT 'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!"

The co-worker who sent it to me this afternoon –
thanks Carmela – is my age and we both had to agree with the sentiments of the
message. And now I can share it with
you – uncut and unedited, except for the admonitions to forward and see
something funny. I don’t need those
incentives any more – the significance and lesson contained is my motivation to
share. I hope you enjoy and with Pam’s
permission I'm including her comments on the email.

“Thank you for that.
A good message and a lesson.

I’ll become my own best
friend.

I remember the
important things.

I know the joy of
being imperfect.

I've earned the right
to be wrong.

No more wasting time
with what could have been.

I’ll maybe even eat
dessert every day. Oh, I do that already

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART,
ESPECIALLY WHEN IT 'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART! This is very
nice.” Pam

We reach a certain age – not
always the same for everyone – but it’s a time of “Aha”, or “Eureka”, or just
the gentle dawning that life is still good and once we take the pressure from
ourselves to measure up to other’s expectations perhaps it is then that we can
really be ourselves, relax and breathe.
The phrase “Youth is wasted on the young” has more meaning to me now,
than it did twenty years ago. May we all
come to this realization while we still have the years and friendships to
enjoy!

Friday, August 2, 2013

Let’s hear it for Vicki Delany.
Jamie Tremain welcomes one of the busiest authors in Canada. She juggles two
different series; the Constable Molly Smith series and my favourites the
Klondike mysteries. Her gothic thrillers are stand alone books and will raise
the hairs on your neck.

More than Sorrow -published
by Poisoned Pen Press. “Atmosphere as chilling as the
subtle roll of mist across a field”–Susanna Kearsley, New York Times bestselling
author.

“6th in her critically
acclaimed Constable Molly Smith series, A COLD WHITE SUN places Vicki Delany’s
marvelous storytelling on full display. Delany’s formidable Canadian
sleuth, Molly Smith, pits her skills against an ice-cold killer, just as her
personal life heats up. I love this series!”Julia Spencer-Fleming,New York Timesbestselling author.

Welcome to our blog Vicki. Liz and I have been fans for a number of
years. We each have our favourites. Liz leans toward your psychological
suspense books while I love your characters in the Klondike mysteries, set in
Dawson City, Yukon.

Fans
of Molly Smith are eagerly awaiting this sixth book in the series. How do you
manage to keep her fresh and exciting? Can you see many more books with Molly
in them?

Vicki:

First, Liz and Pam and
Jamie, thanks so much for having me. I look forward to interviewing Jamie
Tremain one day.

A Cold White Sunis the sixth book in the series, and the seventh is almost finished.
It’s called Under Cold Stone, and
will be released in April. As for
keeping Molly herself fresh, the fact that she’s very young when the series
begins gives me plenty of room for her to grow.
In the first book, In the Shadow
of the Glacier, she is 26 and a probationary constable. By Valley
of the Lost, she’s a Constable Third Class. She’s moving through time,
although slower than in real time, and I am trying to give her experience and
maturity in her life as well as in her job as the books progress. So I have a
lot of material left to keep Molly around for a good time still. Eventhe
co-protagonist, John Winters, although he is at the height of his career and
approaching 50, is learning things and slowly adapting to life in this
unfamiliar small mountain town.

When
you are not travelling to promote your books, you are either making visits to South
Sudan, on tour to the Yukon and NWT, holding writing classes and carrying on
your duties as VP of Crime Writers of Canada. Oh, and your commitment to “Scene
of the Crime Festival’ taking place August 18th on Wolfe Island.http://www.sceneofthecrime.ca/

Do
you set yourself a writing schedule or is writing something you’re always
doing?

Vicki:

I have a strict schedule, and I have to stick to it.
Here’s my deep dark secret: I don’t actually like writing. I am not compelled or driven to do it. I like the end product. So, if I didn’t get
up every morning, seven days a week, and write for the pre-determined three or
four hours, nothing would get done. Because there would always be something I’d
rather be doing. I don’t write when I’m travelling.
That’s probably because of the aforementioned disruption to my schedule, and
the excuse not to sit down and write. The exception is when I visit South
Sudan. There is literally nothing to do
in Juba, South Sudan when my daughter and her friends are at work, so writing
is my only recourse.

You
live in bucolic Prince Edward County surrounded by fields of sunflowers and
vineyards. The beach is close by and small towns and villages dot the landscape
around you. You travel extensively for family visits or for your work as an
author. In all your travels have you found another place you could live, as
idyllic as where you live now?

Vicki: My favourite place in the world is Nelson,
British Columbia. Trafalgar, the
location of the Molly Smith books, is Nelson not-at-all-thinly-disguised. I’d
love to live in Nelson, but my mom is in Ontario as are two of my three
daughters. One of my daughters lived for
18 months in the Turks and Caicos. I
could see myself living there for a while at least.

You
came from corporate Canada as a computer programmer and systems analyst to the
writing life. Has your old livelihood and work experience influenced how you go
about planning a new book?

Vicki:

In the great to
outline or not to outline debate, I fall somewhere in the middle. I usually
have a rough idea of what I want to accomplish before I begin a book. I something think it’s a result of my computer experience. If I was going to design a new programme for a bank, I needed to know before I began if it was going to debit or credit your account.

You
were in South Sudan earlier in the year visiting your daughter who works there.
Notwithstanding the culture shock and a much different way of life, did you find
the time to write about your experiences or can we look forward to a new
mystery series set in the Sudan?

My next book for Rapid
Reads is titled Juba Good (Spring
2014) and is about an RCMP officer with the UN in South Sudan. But that will probably be the only book I set
there. I would have to go to the dark side, I think, to do a realistic
portrayal of the country. Juba Good is the darkest book I have
written.

I
find the writing community is very helpful in promoting each other and Liz and
I have received valuable assistance from you and others in our writing journey.
This paying it forward is a movement I like and is so different from the big
brother attitude of many corporations I’ve worked for. Is this a trend that is
here to stay or is it a by product of the social media sites we communicate on
today?

Vicki:
The
Canadian mystery community is extremely close, as you know. It always has been, at least in the twelve or
so years that I’ve been part of it. I
like to say that when I decided to write a book the last thing I was thinking
of was so I’d make new friends. But
that’s been the best part of it. I’d
argue that not only does social media have nothing to do with that, it might
even be detrimental to those close links.
I know Pam and Liz from meeting you in person, right? I think I first met Pam at the book launch
for Gold Fever, and Liz at Bloody
Words. Tomorrow, I’m going to the cottage of one of my CWC friends, and a
couple of other writers will be there also.
These are all people I met at various crime writing functions or
conferences. We’ll drink lots and eat well and talk about books and book
people. Social media, on the other hand,
is about LOOK AT ME, LOOK AT ME,LOOK AT ME
NOW!!!! Oh, sure people will occasionally drop in a quick reference to someone
else’s new book on their Twitter feed, but it really is all about “me”, not
about making real meaningful friends, getting to know colleagues, and then
giving and receiving advice and encouragement.
My friends and I and fellow-CWCers promote each other because we like each other’s books: we even critique manuscripts and put on joint events. But these are real flesh and blood friends,
not virtual friends. I travel a lot for promotion, as you said, in the US as
well as Canada, and so I meet many crime writers. Often we hit it off and are happy
to exchange guest blog slots or post a link on our FB page or drop a
Tweet. But the personal relationship has
to come first. No, social media if
anything is getting in the way of that sort of thing. Beginning authors who think it’s all about
dropping a few auto-Tweets are missing the point.

What
do you have in the works for your many fans to look forward to?

Vicki:
Gold Web, the fourth Klondike book, will be
released in December. Then Under Cold Stone, Molly Smith #6, will
be out in April. Juba Good sometime in the spring.
Wow, seems like a lot. I am
currently working on a new gothic thriller for Poisoned Pen Press. No title as
of yet, but it will be set on a winery in Prince Edward County, with a
ghost-story from WWII.

All
work and no play.....What do you do in your down time?

Vicki:I read. A lot. I am going to be interviewing Andrew Pyper at
Scene of the Crime, and although I’ve read all of his books, I am reading them
again, so hopefully I can come up with some good questions. I have a small property in the country, and
in the summer I garden and swim. I also travel a lot, which I really enjoy. I’m hoping to go to Spain next year. Promotional stuff takes up a lot of time,
such as this interview. But I do it because I enjoy it. If I didn’t enjoy it I wouldn’t do it.

You
are known for the different hats you wear. The first time I met you at the
Bloody Words Conference in Ottawa you had on a very smashing hat that was
reminiscent of what your character Fiona MacGillivray of the Klondike series
would wear.

Is
this all very necessary to help sell and promote books today or is this a
personal Vicki-ism?

Vicki: I love wearing
hats, but it is pretty much my promotional shtick. In the summer, on a hot sunny day, I might
wear a nice sun hat, but the fancy hats and fascinators are only for book
promotion. It started with me buying a big Victorian hat to wear to book
signings for the Klondike books, and kinda grew from there. By the way, I have the honour of being the
Canadian Guest of Honour at Bloody Words 2014 (http://2014.bloodywords.com/) and I will be putting some thought into suitable millinery.

Are
you a lone wolf when it comes to writing or would you consider writing with a
collaborator?

Vicki:
Total lone wolf. I can not imagine how
you too can work together. And so effectively, I must say. But then again, I am a pretty solitary
person.

Thanks Vicki for speaking with Jamie Tremain today. We’re
both looking forward to many more books in your series.

“It’s a crime not to
read Delany,” so says the London Free
Press. Vicki Delany is one of
Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers. Her newest novel is A Cold White Sun, the sixth book in the
Smith & Winters police procedural series for Poisoned Pen Press. She also
writes standalone novels of psychological suspense, and the light-hearted
Klondike Gold Rush books which are published by Dundurn.

Her Rapid Reads book, A Winter Kill, was shortlisted for the
2012 Arthur Ellis Award for best novella.

Vicki is a member of
the Capital Crime Writers, The Writers Union of Canada, and is on the board of
the Crime Writers of Canada and the Wolfe Island Scene of the Crime Festival.
She is proud to have been chosen as Canadian guest of honour for Bloody Words, the
Canadian mystery conference, in 2014.

Having taken early
retirement from her job as a systems analyst in the high-pressure financial
world, Vicki enjoys the rural life in bucolic, Prince Edward County,
Ontario.